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Acocke t1_j0nvrav wrote

It’s ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) aka Ursodiol.

Many other brand names too, but it’s cheap therefore will not likely justify commercialization for an additional labeled indication like Covid.

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Alwayssunnyinarizona t1_j0nzlad wrote

Since the 1950s, it's been produced synthetically, but that hasn't stopped some cultures from going to the original source: bear (urso) bile.

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aesirmazer t1_j0pdnm3 wrote

And that's why you have to destroy the gallbladder of any bear you hunt in my area. No killing bears for bile.

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optagon t1_j0puc44 wrote

You destroy the gallbladder so scientists don't scurry out from behind the rocks a d trees to harvest the medicine?

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aesirmazer t1_j0puzxq wrote

No, there was a big problem with bears being poached for their gallbladders, so they made it illegal to possess them. You're also not allowed to cut the claws from the carcass untill you are home with the whole animal, for the same reason.

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DrG73 t1_j0shdw5 wrote

You can buy it as a natural supplement from ox bile. Often used to help people dissolves stones or aid digestion after they’ve had their gallbladder removed.

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the-mighty-kira t1_j0oerik wrote

You’re right that it likely won’t get enough testing needed for this to be made an on-label use, but doctors prescribe off label all the time.

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Allegedly_Smart t1_j0p9pm0 wrote

And often times insurance won't cover off label prescriptions

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Tyrosine_Lannister t1_j0qbegt wrote

True! Fortunately, it's something you can buy as a dietary supplement from pretty legit vendors

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Ginpo236 t1_j0pe0pf wrote

US big pharma checks in. “We‘ll sell that for $999 a dose to the US public. Bc we can.”

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ibringthehotpockets t1_j0thpec wrote

“$11,856.99 per mL, your insurance covers $11,806.99 but only in tablet form and 0.05 tablet per year. but only if your doctor also sends his firstborn child”

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squirreltard t1_j0qrqvx wrote

Bear bile? I had some here all along as I travel to Asia and it’s a stomach remedy there (this is not from bears but is the same chemical they harm bears for —it’s real medicine!).

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Kevinhy t1_j0rii73 wrote

The taurine conjugate of UDCA known as TUDCA is also widely available on the over-the-counter supplement market (even Amazon).

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bryan_pieces t1_j0rqvhs wrote

Is it safe and well tolerated?

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Kevinhy t1_j0s7mi4 wrote

Yeah. Bodybuilders often take it to ameliorate liver toxicity from oral steroids that they take. It reliably reduces liver enzymes on blood tests (among other things) which is a positive indicator for improving health.

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